20 incidents since November last year where victims have been shot while in the street.A number of these incidents have only come to police attention after the victims have arrived at hospitals for medical assistance.Police said officers had been investigating the shootings on an individual basis and recognised the need for a more thorough approach.About 20 people will staff the taskforce, including trained detectives and intelligence support. They will also be assisted by officers from other existing squads.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood from the Crime Department said the major focus of the taskforce was to look at the patterns of shootings and attempt to deter and prevent further attacks.``We believe these incidents are possibly linked with drug-related crime activity and want to send a message to those people involved that we are aware of the links and will be concentrating heavily on prosecuting those involved,'' Det-Supt Hollowood said.He said the taskforce would work like the Purana gangland taskforce and said one of the reasons it was formed was the level of co-operation from alleged victims was not very good.Det-Supt Hollowood said Victoria did not need a specialist bikie taskforce as there was already a group monitoring motorcycle gangs.

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